January 08, 2011

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U.S. Capitol Police have urged members of Congress and their staffs to "take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security," in light of the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).

The Capitol Police, who are involved in the investigation, confirmed that the congresswoman was rushed to the hospital with "serious injuries" and "multiple others were shot as well." No additional details were available.

A police spokeswoman told POLITICO earlier Saturday that they had no information about a possible motive for the shooting.

Death threats against members of Congress skyrocketed 300 percent in the second half of 2010, surrounding the debate over health care reform, according to FBI documents.

Posted by Martin Kady II 03:34 PM

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Assassination is a cowardly means to achieve a political objective, particularly when, as here, it is perpetrated with no regard for innocent bystanders. However, the problem is that we live in a time when all three branches of the federal government have gone rogue. The Constitution is regarded as an irritant, when, in reality, it represents the Rule of Law that keeps both tyranny and anarchy at bay. Congress, it seems, it bent on tyranny; malcontents like today's shooter represent the anarchist end of the continuum. The fact that both are able to wreak as much havoc as they have done speaks to how tenuous is our present hold on civil, ordered society.

I am not sure that "cowardly" is the correct word here. It would seem that the shooter would likely be characterized as the opposite of cowardly, given that he attacked a public official in broad daylight, in a supermarket. I am not sure why this word has become popular in recent years, when commenting on events like this one. Otherwise, I agree with your analysis.

>>> Death threats against members of Congress skyrocketed 300 percent in the second half of 2010, surrounding the debate over health care reform
If this doesn't clue in the Democrats and the Obama administration that the vast majority of people really, Really, REALLY don't want Obamacare, then I don't know what will.
It is literally driving those on the edge insane.

Posted By: >>> Death threats against members of Congress skyrocketed 300 percent in the second half of 2010, su | January 08, 2011 at 05:14 PM

It's cowardly because it's a gutless act against unarmed and unprepared innocent victims. Cowardly because when someone doesn't value life, they don't fear losing it. It's a cowardly act by a sicko. It's also true that it's too bad there weren't armed guards to shoot this sicko before he did tragic stuff. Godspeed to the victims of this terrorist.

It's cowardly because it's a gutless act against unarmed and unprepared innocent victims. Cowardly because when someone doesn't value life, they don't fear losing it. It's a cowardly act by a sicko. It's also true that it's too bad there weren't armed guards to shoot this sicko before he did tragic stuff. Godspeed to the victims of this terrorist.

Way to go Obama, Gabrielle was apparently shot because she was pushing YOUR anti-American Socialist agenda. I know of best friends, family, even marriages that have been divided over the Socialist/Communist direction Obama is trying to take our country.
The COMMUNITY AGITATOR = DIVIDING A NATION.

I like the use of cowardly I wounder if you would have said the same thing about assassins if maybe one was used on Hitler or maybe staling or even in Iraq, which would have resulted maybe in a quick end to a long war. This nonsense about I wish there would have been security there to shoot him. When you rely on others to protect you, the end result is a lot more people die because they have no idea how to stand up for themselves and instead of ending it when it begins, they run for cover and call 911, meanwhile people get shot imagine if 5 out of 10 people had guns at this Safeway.

I know you'll think it's crazy, but I wouldn't put it past the Socialists to have done this themselves. They have nothing going for them right now, so why not do something dastardly, blame it on the Republicans, and hope for public sympathy?

what overaction. It is this type of overreaction by the police that put every returning amarican soldier on the "watch list" because they know weapons. It will be interesting to see who shot whom? Did the bodyguards kill the 9yo? Were the Long Beach police there?

I don't know about you but I am not suprised by this at all. In fact when I heard this on the radio today I was simply thinking that this is only the begining. The elites are bringing this on and they will continue to act as if they have no idea why people are doing these things. They will deny all of you the truth. Cant wait to hear what the next lie is.

I have found out some on the shooter. He lists reading as a pass time...mein kampf, communist manifesto, animal farm. So that puts him in with bill and hilary, and obama, and basically, all the crazy freak genetic defect democrats.

Capitol Police are a fine outfit but in order to provide security for all Members of Congress, the Capitol Police would need to seek training, guidance and possibly supplementation from the Secret Service. and the State Dept's Diplomatic Security Service.

Is he any more cowardly than the crew of the U.S. Army helicopter that blasted the unarmed Iraqis in the video released by WikiLeaks?
.
Is he any more cowardly than the two U.S. Army warrant officers who smothered a captured Iraqi General to death inside a sleeping bag?
.
Is he any more cowardly than the cops in Stark county, Ohio who forcibly stripped a defenseless woman who was handcuffed and helpless?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Wow. Everyone is jumping to the wrong conclusion. It had nothing to do with politics. The guy was crazy. Read the reports about his MySpace and FB postings. He was a leftist whose favorite books were Mein Kempf and Communist Manifest. He shot a Dem. and a Republican Judge.

Yes, they should take great care because like Arizona, there could be other young indoctrinated, liberal, commie, socialist, far left, progressive freaks out there just looking for a chance to harm Political figures, and anyone who happens to be around.
Is this what our educational system and other Liberal, Progressive outlets are producing these days? Far Left, commie, Physcos ? ?

Interesting guy - favorite books Mein Kampf and The Communist Manifesto. Both are abhored by the tea party folks. The uber-libs LOVE the Manifesto. Both books represent fascism, and fascism is the way-of-the-day for these RINOs and Dems that are trying to force us into their New World Order.
It is unclear why the guy shot the congresswoman. What really galls me is that thousands of Americans are killed and raped every year from crime by illegal aliens, yet Obama does not shed a tear or even mention it exists. The moment one of his own elite take it, he is out there all broken up about it, ready to crack down on us.
There will be more of this. The country will fight back against this globalist tyranny. Meantime, I truly hate to see the casualties, and this lady congresswoman was not the worst of them to deserve this. Wrong place, wrong time, and I wish her family well and a speedy recovery for her. If the US govt would stop exacerbating the situation, all this would settle down.
But every day it is something new - today's news is that the government plans to FORCE us to have ID to use the Internet. More tracking and profiling of law abiding American Citizens. More tyranny.

Well as the saying goes when people lose everything they lose it.. I think Nancy Pelosi and her devise policies have caused people such anger that they are now looking for ways to vent their anger. The false promises of jobs, free mortgages, free food stamps, free school tuition were all big lies and people are sitting home on their computers getting angry instead of being able to find gain full employment just like in Europe..

It is time to take a good deep breath and then for our representatives to set about the task of becoming far less questionable and controversial. They are going to have to take care, but an arms race pitting the American people against it's government is not the answer, halting the rush toward tyranny is. May God watch over our representatives and grant them wisdom for these troubled times.

This guy is a lefty anarchist, but I don't really blame the left for this because he is as insane as they come! Just looking at his YouTube videos confirms this. If only the left would stop with the blame too.
I pray all survivors will recover, and the families that mourn find peace.

His attack had nothing to do with politics. If you watch his YouTube video, you can see he's obviously schizophrenic and doesn't think rationally. It's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uRjwPWaxiY
It's really tragic. Had he been under proper medical care and taking meds, this never would have happened.

It is cowardly because anybody can pick up a gun and shoot somebody. Anybody has the physical ability to kill somebody. But to actually engage in real problem-solving takes strength, patience, determination, effort, commitment and persistence; and the ability to tolerate stupidity, ignorance, failure, set-backs, and other obstacles. A coward will simply pick up a gun and shoot. This guy was very much a coward (and a disgrace to this nation).

When the government fails to serve the people, the people no matter how loony left they are will rise up and fight back. Obama has divided this nation along color lines and this just may be the first installment of the hate that this administration has participated and enabled. God help us to last two more years until we can get a real president.

Patriot wrote:
Problem, reaction, solution. Watch attacks on the 2nd Amendment ensue.
---
Exactly.
Nothing happens by chance in politics.
Wait and Watch.
This is how the game is played.
If you wish to play, sometimes your life is forfeited...there are no Friends in this game.
Each to his own.
Its a game of chess....and humanity is the stakes.

A local Tucson TV station reports the shooter is not a conservative or a Tea Party member, those who knew him describe him as a pot head, a left winger and very liberal.
Full article here: http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-jared-lee-loughner-profile,0,3468158.story?track=rss
Daily Kos worked fast to scrub clean some of their drivel, but screen shots and such linger on.
And, what about this poster on the Daily Kos who had worked on her campaign, accusing Rep. Gifford as being too far to the right. After he found out she was conservative on certain issues, on 01/06/11 he posted "to him she was dead."
http://hillbuzz.org/2011/01/08/my-congresswoman-voted-against-nancy-pelosi-and-is-now-dead-to-me-eerie-daily-kos-hit-piece-on-gabrielle-giffords-just-two-days-before-assassination-attempt-on-her/
In 2008, the Daily Kos put this out about taking Gifford out, with bulls eye and all: http://hillbuzz.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-08-at-3-05-33-pm.png

Was there any form of police protection or armed security at this event? It seems strange to me that a member of Congress comes to town to hold an event in the parking lot of a Safeway, a large public gathering with upwards of hundreds of people, and there apparently wasnt' a single police officer or armed security guard present until after the shooting took place and the gunman had to be tackled by members of the crowd. How does it happen that this gunman can simply stroll up to a member of Congress at a large public event - in the parking lot of a shopping center - and there aren't any police or security guards, plainclothes officers, etc., in close proximity.
It's a terrible tragedy on a number of levels, and it seems to me that the police in Arizona dropped the ball, big time.

When an ANIMAL is backed in to a corner, is when it's most dangerous.
This was bound to happen. Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long. A lot of people in this country, are at their breaking point. How many YEARS have some of them been out of work? An Unemployment Check is NOT a Pay Check. They take away a Man's HONOUR. They take away his PRIDE.
People see the FRIENDS OF OBAMA reaping BILLION$ from taxpayer. The people with CONNECTIONS to Washington, getting all the spoils. Our INDUSTRIES, and all the JOBS that go with them, being ATTACKED, and SHUT DOWN, in the name of GLOBAL WARMING, SAFETY, REGULATION, CARD CHECK, and Soviet Style HEALTH CARE MANDATES.
We have people running the country, with ZERO EXPERIENCE, outside of Academia. No Business Experience, No experience creating Jobs, or making a Payroll. All you need to do is ASK George McGovern why he couldn't make his little Hotel / Bed & Breakfast work.
Washington doesn't listening to WE THE PEOPLE. They haven't, for a long time. But this time is different. If this ship isn't turned around, and soon, I don't see any reason to think that this isn't gonna happen again.
You had the guy at the School Board Meeting. And now this.
John Edwards had it right. There ARE 2 Americas. The RULING CLASS and their SUBJECTS. And if History is any kind of Barometer of this? This arrangement never turns out well for the RULING CLASS.
I'm just saying.

Posted By: When an ANIMAL is backed in to a corner, is when it's most dangerous.
This was bound to happen. Fra | January 09, 2011 at 08:42 AM

Oh, boy, here it comes, as if elected officials aren't elitist enough they're going to use these recent incidents to become even more removed from the public they supposedly work for.
It makes one wonder if these events aren't staged, false-flag attacks.
We have to take into account that as things get worse it is only natural for the public to direct their anger at the so-called stewards of the public good, as they well should, but I might add never to a degree of using senseless violence. But with attacks such as these, the truly corrupt will use these incidents to further isolate themselves from public scrutiny.
We're heading into dangerous territory. On the one hand we have a corrupt government that has masterminded a false-flag attack (9/11) and used that attack to strip away near all our rights and liberties, not to mention start two illegal wars, and as evidence of their behavior surfaces almost daily, they are in a race to ratchet-up the fear factor, maybe even produce another 9/11 on a larger scale, to try to take the heat off of them.
Will it work? I certainly hope not. It seems more and more people are waking-up to the fact that the biggest terrorists are within our own government, so hopefully true patriots in positions of influence can prevent such a thing from happening, but no matter what I don't see it getting better before it gets worse.

Every politician should be surrounded by four Secret Service agents. One walking forward. One walking sideways to his right. One walking backwards. One walking sideways to his left. Adjust according to politician's direction. That should do it.

The government is bringing this on with their blatant disregard of the constitution and their treatment of the citizens as slaves. We are their boss, they are not ours.Unless changes are made this will only get worse.

isn't it sad how ALL political persuasions are beginning to use this tragedy to support their own position? Just read these comments to see what I mean. Crazy people will always be with us and dangerous and looking for any reason to demonstrate their craziness. Just pry for the victims and their familes.

Sickening that people are trying to politicize this. The guy was a nut, plain and simple. None of his postings on youtube or myspace were political, they were all about mind control, dream literacy, and weird stuff about ADE and BCE timelines. In one video he burns the American flag, don't know any conservatives who do that.

Even though this guy is clearly insane, probably paranoid schizophrenic, and even though his rantings on youtube were anarchist/paranoia against "mind control", and favorite readings include such luminaries as the Communist Manifesto...I won't even begin to presume this has anything to do with political leanings.
I suspect that the reaction of most of you "blaming Tea Party" etc shows more your own tremendous ignorance of mental illness than anything.
Ok, I won't take the cheap shot that liberalism is a mental disorder, but I am tempted.

Let's pray that the Tucson tragedy will serve as a wake-up call to Barack Obama to tone down his rhetoric intended to gain political advantage by dividing the American electorate, one segment against the other. Obama must cease: "scapgoating" George Bush for every personal failure that he experiences in implementing his Leftist agenda; cease poor mouthing America as being the cause of every evil in the world; cease isolating: the Banking industry; Wall Street; the Rich; the Insurance industry; the Coal industry; America's Energy Sector; Industrial enterprises; and whatever other American segment serves as a convenient villain for justifying Obama's legislative initiatives. Cease, his incessant diatribes against those Americans who would dare to oppose his "redistributionist" policies. In addition, Obama must cease his perpetual playing of the "race-card" to curtail legitimate opposition to his Marxist policies; cease employing such inflammatory rhetoric as: "the cops acted stupidly - Republicans can come along for the ride; but, they'll have to ride in the back - bitter folks in small town America who cling to their religion - the only place that I see them is at ribbon-cuttings - reminders that "We're watching you" - I want you to argue with them and get in their face - if they bring a knife, you bring a gun - etc." to incite his base.
Had Obama been appropriately vetted, one might have anticipated the nature of his immature, petulant conduct based upon his immersion in the conventional duties of his role as a Community Agitator; and, his tutorial under the extreme radical, Saul Alinksky, as well as his slavish adherence to his virtual Bible, "The Rules For Radicals".
In the interim, it is the pledge of those of us who comprise a center-right America to devote our energies to accomplishing our goals "OVERWHELMINGLY" thru the medium of the ballot box. However, we must avoid allowing the inflammatory rhetoric coming from Obama and his left-wing sycophants from distracting us from our November 2012 objective of restoring the governing principals of our Founding Fathers.
Greg Neubeck

Posted By: Let's pray that the Tucson tragedy will serve as a wake-up call to Barack Obama to tone down his rhe | January 09, 2011 at 12:35 PM

I do not condone violence from the left or the right. When such atrocious acts happen, they blame the conservatives who expressed their views as vitriolic and incindiary. They never say these of the left's. When a movie advocating doing away with then President Bush, they called it art.

Over reaction by the Hill police to cover their you know what. The guy who did the shooting is a nut, plain and simple. All of the security in the world isn't going to prevent some goof ball from doing something horrible like what took place in AZ.

Posted By: Over reaction by the Hill police to cover their you know what. The guy who did the shooting is a nut | January 09, 2011 at 02:37 PM

This is all Obama's fault? What kind of sick minds do we have here? Fifty million people not covered by a health plan, everyone can pack a weapon, highest rate of incarceration in the free world, highest rate of murders in the free world and flat broke trying to bring our "best form of democracy in the world" to those who don't want it!
We are doomed by our own hand!

I would hope our elected officials always take reasonable caution. There is no known motive for this terrible crime. Why is it that media outlets including Politico always jump to conclusions. On Sunday morning TV, the talking heads mentioned the Tea Party several times. Hello? Could this just be a crime by a mentally unstable individual? GIVE ME A BREAK!

Obama and Bush both want the open boarders, North American Union, and they are going to make it happen. No matter what it takes. They have been working on it since 2005. Ruin the economy, crash the dollar.

Death threats against members of Congress skyrocketed 300 percent in the second half of 2010, surrounding the debate over health care reform, according to FBI documents.
Theyre destroying the country from the inside. So why should anybody care what happens to them.
They brought this all on themselves.
I dont feel the least bit sorrry for them.